easy vegetarian cooking for everyone, with a few ideas mixed in.

Cucumber Salad

We love cucumbers around here. Ever since Serafina started chomping on solids, cucumbers ranked among her favorite foods. I have heard from parents that some of her classmates say they want a “Serafina lunch,” which apparently means tomatoes, cucumbers, pita, cheese bites, and hummus. They tell their parents that “Serafina loves cucumbers.” I thought I was the lazy parent tossing a bunch of healthy ingredients in her little lunch box, and in the end she started a lunch trend.

The other night, we had our best friends over for dinner. Serafina and their daughter Elaine ran wild with giggles around the house. It is amazing how wonderfully these two get along, they truly are partners in crime. The filled the hours playing red light/ green light, stoller derby, and joint coloring on the easel while wearing the same strand of Mardi Gras beads. We decided to roast asparagus and try out the zucchini fritters we enjoyed at Christmas. After doubling the ingredients and adding scallions, I realized I wanted to have a light side for a healthy dinner. Thus, I tossed together a cucumber salad, normally a summer treat, and it worked perfectly for our dinner. In fact, upon sitting at the table I realized I had made a plate filled with green deliciousness, worthy of a St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

Cucumber Salad

2 English Cucumbers

1 tb kosher salt

1/2 cup of sliced red onion and chopped

1/4 cup of chopped dill

2 tb champagne vinegar

2 teaspoons of sugar

1. Slice the cucumber in half, lengthwise. Using a peeler or melon ball spoon, hold the cucumber over a sink, and carve out the seeds in the center. Next, slice the cucumbers horizontally. Place in a bowl and toss in the salt, red onion, and dill.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vinegar and sugar until the sugar dissolves.

3. Check your cucumbers and drain any of the water at the bottom of the bowl. Then, pour the vinegar over the cucumbers. Let flavors meld for a bit before you serve. Right before you do share your salad, spoon the dressing at the bottom back on top of the cucumber salad.